Description
Savor the essence of summer with the delightful blend of grilled chicken, ripe avocado, and zesty orzo, perfect for BBQs and potlucks.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 3 tablespoons grainy Dijon mustard
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 2 tablespoons white balsamic vinegar
- 1/2 cup mixed herbs (rosemary, oregano, basil), chopped
- 1 small shallot, grated
- 2 cloves garlic, grated
- Kosher salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes to taste
- 3/4 pound boneless skinless chicken tenders
- 1 bell pepper, quartered
- 1 pound dry orzo pasta
- 1 cup cubed cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup crumbled blue cheese (optional)
- 2 cups shredded red leaf lettuce
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 6 slices cooked bacon, crumbled
- 1 avocado, sliced
Instructions
- Combine dressing ingredients in a jar and whisk until smooth. Adjust seasoning.
- Toss chicken in a third of the dressing and marinate for 10 minutes.
- Preheat grill to medium-high and grill chicken and bell pepper until charred and cooked through, about 10-12 minutes. Chop peppers.
- Cook orzo in salted boiling water until al dente, then drain.
- Toss warm orzo with cheddar cheese, optional blue cheese, and a third of the dressing.
- Add grilled chicken, peppers, lettuce, tomatoes, and bacon to orzo. Coat with remaining dressing.
- Top with avocado slices, season with salt and pepper, and serve.
Notes
- Ensure grill is at the right temperature for perfect grill marks on chicken.
- Use fresh herbs and ripe avocados for best flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 20 mins
- Category: Salad
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 recipe
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg
Keywords: grilled lemon herb chicken avocado orzo salad, summer orzo salad, healthy chicken orzo salad, summer BBQ chicken orzo salad